Huami Magazine Richmond Sept./Oct. 2018

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Sept./Oct. 2018 - Vol. 1 Issue 7

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Stormi Harmon Kiana Manson

PatriciaClement From Hood To Good Richmond - Sept./Oct. 2018

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There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!

There Is Purpose In Your Storms

There Are No If, Ands, Or Buts About It!

LetterThe from the Editor A LetterAFrom Editor A Letter Editor Hawaii is a from primethe destination for tourist and vacationers. Made What ifislands, tomorrow All of yourbeaches, plans, hopes up of six unique it is didn’t knownarrive? for its abundant white and dreams wouldn’t have a street to park on.

What if sands, colorful landscapes, and beautiful weather. Hawaii is also everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never What if tomorrow didn’t All of your plans, hopes richly embedded in cultures, whicharrive? are complimented by delicious happened?

There beano reason to a rainy wouldn’t have street to park on. for What if foods and and dreams traditions thatwould date back hundreds of save years. day, and you could spare someone the trouble of making everything that you decided to put off until tomorrow never promises.

What if would your last opportunity seemingly happened?

There be no reason save for rainy Recently I learned that unlike other tropicaltoislands andaexpired beaches, today?

What would you do? you could spareto someone theand trouble making Hawaiiday, isn’tand subjected as often hurricanes otheroftropical promises.

What last opportunity seemingly expired storms.

I found that to ifbeyour quite interesting, especially because I’ve told that I often seem like The I do conditions too much. are Hawaiitoday? sits in been the middle ofyou the Pacific Ocean.

What would do? feel like I am not enough I’m coasts a firm of similarHonestly, or just as Iother locations likedoing Miami, Floridaand or the inbut knowing that God seem wouldn’t put me North believer Carolina, the storms seem to stay Andmuch. thenonlife I’ve been told that I often likeaway.

I do anything too happened. that I couldn’t sometimes wonderand how would Honestly, I feelhandle. like I amI not doing enough I’mlife a firm be if I chose to sit idle and accept whatput it presented believer in knowing that God wouldn’t anything to onme. me I Earlier this year in Hawaii volcanos began to erupt, spitting fiery, haveI found that to be very boring. In my opinion, opportunity that couldn’t handle.

I sometimes wonder how life would hit lava feet intoafforded theaccept atmosphere. streets of is hundreds aifblessing that to what everyone.

A challenge be I choseof to sitisn’t idle and itThe presented to this me. I once peaceful place began to crack and buckle from the lava fires to mefound is an adventure.

What is the In worst that can opportunity happen? have that to be very boring. my opinion, that were flowing beneath them. had been interrupted If aI do nothing, if IThe try to Icalmness don’t, but instead learn is blessing thatI fail, isn’tand afforded everyone.

A challenge and it to appeared to me that Hawaii was in its own kind of storm. something new about myself. yourcan pride and in me is an adventure.

What is Relinquish the worst that happen?

Instead rain andand 100 ifmiles winds, disturbance return acquire life.

If Iofdopouring nothing, I fail, I try per I don’t, butthe instead learn came something from below.new about myself. Relinquish your pride and in The best advice return acquire life.ever given to me happened when someone What had happened in Hawaii, was happen something that IInsee happens told me to make my tomorrow today. doing so in my life as well.

God loves me enough to allow me to enjoy peace.

I have pressed myever way given through doors with a key thatsomeone only The best advice to me happened when He blesses me with an Iabundance andhappen gives me an opportunity to hopeme provided. have also learned the difference between told to make my tomorrow today.

In doing so enjoy IHis blessings and showcase them to others.

Still, God shows what blesses and what cana burden with haveGod pressed my me waywith through doorslife with key thatme only his love by allowing me to experience pain. as well.

I compare it to knowing when to be confident and hope provided. I have also learned the difference between whenlife tocan be quiet, what God blesses me with and what burdenbecause me with Though I may be in the path of a storm, I don’tmay always get wet. someone get it confused as well. I compare it to knowing when to be confident and That’s mercy. And during the times when thebeing storms do hit me, I with when to bearrogant. quiet, because can’t complain because God has spared me before and He promises someone may get it confused to restore anything lost. That’s grace.

Make youarrogant. tomorrow with being happen today, but most Through every storm and every importantly make it count.

Make you tomorrow trial, I have learned there is a purpose Life is but a whisper and happen today, but most in my pain. There are also some pains we must putmake ourselves in a importantly it count. that I must endure just as well. These position toa hear what it is Life is but whisper and occurrences must happen. Without telling us.put ourselves in a we must them, my life would be nothing position to hear what it isand more than a fantasy or fairy tale, telling us.who God has written useless to those

Terry L. storm Watson in pages of my life. My is merely a formality, and my story is someone Editor/Founder L. Watson else’s door toTerry deliverance.

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CONTENTS

SEPT./OCT 2018

RICHMOND

Pure Keys Products

Kiana Manson

On The Cover

Patricia Clement Jump Starz Jump Rope Lessons

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Live 2 Serve

Stormi Harmon

10

16

Sister Luvely

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Huami Magazine Cutest Baby

Kaydence Jeffries

21

L. Michelle Author and Radio Host Is Making It By Helping Others

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Natalie Sullivan

Also Featured

Shuntae Goodjoine The Shepherds Watch of Greenville, SC

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Christinia McCoy She is Beautiful, Inside and Out.

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PatriciaClement From Hood To Good

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By Dr. Marrissa Dick Photos by Marion Woodhouse Remember bouncing to the rhythm of the Double-dutch rope until you knew the exact time to jump inside the rope? Do you remember jumping to the Double-dutch song 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 1 up, 23456789, 2 up 23456789, 3 up 23456789, 4 up 23456789, until you couldn’t jump anymore or the people who were turning arms got tired? How about even learning to jump double orange? Now if you could jump double orange then you were really doing something! Meet, Patricia Clement, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of JumpStarz, LLC also known as JumpStarz Jump Rope Lessons, whose mission is to use the fun and exciting sport of Double-dutch to build confidence, improve cardiovascular health and nutrition, while empowering youth to set and reach goals.

As a child Patricia jumped double-dutch on the concrete streets of Brooklyn for fun. In 1997 Patricia moved from Brooklyn, East New York to Petersburg, Virginia. She instantly became aware that her love of doubledutch was not common in her new state of residency because she didn’t see little girls jumping rope in the streets like she did while growing up. That seemed so odd and it bothered her. “I mean double-dutch was everything when I was growing up, playing outside.” Though jumping rope kept Patricia busy it didn’t exactly shield her from the elements that come with growing up in a fast paced, high crime, and low income neighborhood.

In fact, she was introduced to things that lead her to become a juvenile delinquent. Though the kid in her loved double-dutch her new fast-paced life style was anything but a game.

She recalls, “At the age of 12 I took my first drink in the neighborhood with the older kids. By the time I was 14 I was dating drug dealers, carrying guns, and packaging and transporting those drugs for them. Things just kept getting worst for me. When I turned 15 I was expelled from high school and when I was 16 I went to Job Corp in Maryland.” Patricia enjoyed working with her hands and took up carpentry as a trade while in Job Corp. Coincidently, she was the first woman to complete the program. In hindsight this was a sign that she was going to be the first to accomplish many things in her genealogy. She recalls, “At Job Corp, I worked on learning my trade for one week then I attended school the next week which I hated. I disliked school so much that when it was time to go I would pretend to be sick and I would make all kinds of excuses just so I wouldn’t have to go.” Eventually, Patricia left Job Corp, but was unable to get a job because she didn’t have a high school diploma so she went back to doing what she knew how to do - - hustling in the streets. After giving birth to her son, Malique, reality finally hit her that if she continued hustling she would end up in jail or even worse, losing her life. “I knew I would have to make a lifestyle change especially since I wanted my son to have a better life so I went back to school and obtained my GED at the age of 20. With that I was able to get a job as a security guard at the airport. I worked there for a few years then some of my coworkers began talking about jobs opening in Virginia at detention centers. I dreamed of leaving New York and starting a new life somewhere else. My family and friends thought I was crazy because they couldn’t believe that I was going to relocate to a place where I didn’t have any family, but I just knew that I needed a change. So, I moved to Petersburg, VA. It wasn’t easy either. Though I was able to get a job with Sussex 1 State Prison I had to live in low income housing for about a year. While working at Sussex for about eight months, I discovered I was really good at shooting firearms. In 1998 I became employed at Riverside Regional Jail assigned to the transportation unit, where I transported inmates to court and appointments. I liked being out in the public, so I decided to become a Police Officer. When my family and friends back home heard that I was in training nobody could believe it especially after knowing about my former way of life. You know I’ve always heard that saying, “God protects babies and fools,” well I was both. So, I completed the police academy, spent a few years as a beat officer, then became the community policing officer. I worked well with the community, because I was a product of the same type of community I was serving. The streets were all I knew. When I came across troubled young girls, I wanted to save them so they wouldn’t make the same mistakes I did growing up. So I became a Big Sister for the Big Brother Big Sister program in Richmond, VA. After 20 years of Law Enforcement, I decided to take an early retirement and JUMPED into full-time entrepreneurship.

I obtained my business license in 2012, but I couldn’t fully commit to JumpStarz because I worked full-time as a Police Officer.”

Continued on the next page

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“JumpStarz is special to me because I’ve taken something that I have enjoyed all my life and turned it into a positive business. When you’re doing something you love, it doesn’t feel like work.”

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Patricia is a believer that God will supply all of your needs because He sent her help with JumpStarz when she needed it the most. According to Patricia, “If it wasn’t for Ahtavia Greer, I may not be where I am today. When I started JumpStarz, I only had one person helping me so it was very hard. You know sometimes I had to teach classes by myself because other people would ignore my phone calls or just not show up. Even though I couldn’t afford to pay Ahtavia, in the beginning, her love for the sport and her belief in me is what I’ll never forget. When I first envisioned JumpStarz I knew it would grow because it was something we needed in our communities. It’s fun and it helps to build confidence for both children and adults. It also draws positive attention to children and it allows them to learn something new. JumpStarz is special to me because I’ve taken something that I have enjoyed all my life and turned it into a positive business. When you’re doing something you love, it doesn’t feel like work.”

Patricia is happy that she has created a legacy for both her son, who is in the Air Force, and her 10-year old daughter, who is currently in training to learn the business. She is overjoyed that she has given them a ‘JumpStarz’ in life. Not only does she employ her children she also feels good about the fact that can give back to her Virginia community by employing its’ residents.

Currently she has 20 staff members and is looking to hire more.

Patricia encourages everyone she meets to pursue their passion especially because it has worked out for her. “It doesn’t matter what it is. It could be doing hair or baking cookies. It could be making lotion. I just want kids and adults to know that you can do anything you want to do, and you don’t always have to work for someone else. You know I went from one class a week at Petersburg YMCA to past/current to having multiple contracts with the County of Henrico, City of Richmond, County of Chesterfield, Richmond Public Schools, Fort Lee Military Base, Richmond Preparatory, St. Michaels Episcopal School, 21st Century Learning, Poplar Springs Hospital, Next Up RVA and many other viable organizations. If all of this happened for me because I followed my passion then I believe it can happen for others, too.” JumpStarz, provides demonstrations and lessons for afterschool programs, birthday parties, community events, family reunions, summer camps, corporate team building and youth programs. JumpStarz has been featured in various news media articles and is highly reputable in Central Virginia.

Who would have ever guessed that this girl from the hood, whose biggest life goal at one time was to get a Section 8 housing voucher, who started out as a statistic would defy the odds of societal success by getting married to the love of her life, building their dream home, and launching a successful business.

Who would have ever guessed that her love of jumping doubledutch would impact so many others lives in such a positive way.

Who could have ever imagined that her love of a game would inspire and promote self-love and inspiration in so many children and enhance teambuilding skills within organizations. Patricia believes that, “People should do what makes them happy. I believe if you want something bad enough, you’ll find a way, not and excuse.” Patricia believes everyone should have multiple streams of income. Aside from JumpStarz, Patricia is also a reseller, she buys truckloads of furniture and resells the items to her 2400 member Facebook group. She sells on EBay and has extreme couponing experience. She has received so many inquires about her ‘Hustling’ that she was inspired to launch a program called ‘Help Me Hustle” where she will be teaching everyday people on the art of earning extra income by doing things they love to do.

The Jump Starz Jump Rope Lessons www.thejumpstarz.com info@thejumpstarz.com Help Me Hustle - helpmehustle2@gmail.com Richmond - Sept./Oct. 2018

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Kiana Manson Pure Keys, LLC

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By Terry L. Watson Photos by Jade Aponte’ here may be several ways to describe Kiana Manson. She is colorful, articulate, intelligent, and very ambitious. Yet, the most accurate description is that she is accomplished.

At just 25 years old, the Petersburg, VA native holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Norfolk State University and is currently employed full time as a Scientist II in Richmond. In 2016, she became an entrepreneur, launching her very own all-natural product line of skin care items with Pure Keys, LLC.

Ultra Moisturizing Body Butter

Kiana’s products are designed for both men and women. They include body washes, bar soaps, body scrubs, body butters, lotion bars, and lip balms. All of her products are handmade from all-natural, raw, organic, and pure ingredients, using no harmful chemicals, manufactured in the comfort of her home.

“Because I am a scientist, by default I began to grow curiosity about the ingredients of the products I use. Between 2015 and 2016, I started making soaps and lip balms for myself. My business began in the summer of 2017, after much trial and error with making products for my personal use. The results I experienced were great and I then decided to share them with others,” she said.

Citrus Sugar Scrub

The response Kiana received was very encouraging. So much so that she kicked production into a higher gear to meet a growing demand from others who were interested in caring for their skin naturally. “I never thought that I would have my own business, let alone a business that would enhance the quality of lives of others. Also, nothing inspires me more than knowing I am capable of helping others overcome problems they may be dealing with their skin, whether it be eczema, acne, breakouts, and/or rashes,” Kiana expresses.

Starting a business was challenging for Kiana.

“Growing up I was told to graduate high school, go to college and major in something that will make you a lot of money. I had little to no exposure of entrepreneurship. I knew I had a product and service, but didn’t know where to go from there, and didn’t know what steps to take first or even how to get others interested,” she said. So, she began reading and researching and still admits it’s a constant learning process.

Sweet Orange and Honey Body Wash Continued on the next page

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For most entrepreneurs, a stable and support system must be in place. For Kiana, she has leaned on her family every step of the way. They were there during college and during her most difficult moments of pursuing a Chemistry degree.

“My family never doubted me even when I doubted myself,” she says. When she created Pure Keys, LLC, her family were the first people to try her products. “They were completely honest with me about the products and their properties (feel, smell, consistency, etc.),” she said.

For others who may follow in her footsteps, Kiana offers a bit of advice. Try to be consistent and work hard. Don’t be afraid to learn from the mistakes you will make during the process. When you learn from your mistakes, it makes you a better business minded individual, and it will continue to help your business grow. Finally, always set goals to keep you on pace of your goal progression,” she says.

Currently, her overall plan is to continue to create and

Lemon Shae Lip Balm

Aloe Mint Bar Soap

“I never thought that I would have my own business let alone a business that is helping many people. Growing up I was always told to graduate high school, go to college and major in something that will make you a lot of money, graduate college, and start my career. In school I had little to no exposure of entrepreneurship. No one ever told me to work towards owning my own business. However, here I am today with Pure Keys, LLC that is helping and changing people skin.” develop all-natural products for both men and women.

Her short-term goal is to spread awareness about skin, and it being the largest organ in the human body and how important it is to take care of it on a daily basis. “With taking care of our skin, I hope to explain the importance of each of my products and why and how they should be used. My ultimate goal is to open my first store that will include all of my products in all varieties,” she says.

Pure Keys, LLC www.purekeysproducts.com purekeys17@gmail.com Oatmeal Bar Soap

@PureKeysProducts

@PureKeys

By Terry L. Watson - Photos by Apollo Wonex Who is Natalie Sullivan? If you let her tell it she would most likely describe herself as someone who is colorful and creative and someone who loves to live life outside the box. She is a native of Greenville, SC and graduated from ECPI University in 2007 with an Associate of Science degree in Medical Administration. Besides being a full-time mom, Natalie works as a natural hair care enthusiast, natural hair stylist and organic hair care formulator. She has also found the time to launch her very own line of hair care products, Sisterly Luv. “Sisterly Luv” is a brand that’s dedicated to formulating healthy hair treatments to women and men based upon specific hair care analysis. We’re not just a brand, we are also a movement that’s predicated upon teaching and celebrating the uniqueness of natural hair and it’s beauty,” she says. Natalie began her natural hair journey when she decided to step out on faith and quit her job and give her passion a sure shot. “At the time when I started styling hair there was little or even no products that were available. Many of the

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products that I tried didn’t quite do what I needed for myself or my clients. After diligent research along with many series of trial and error, my sister and I formulated a product that worked,” she says. “As a hairstylist you always have to be creative and also innovative. I often study pictures on different social sites such as Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook of other stylist and hair styles. They inspire me and allow me to keep up with the latest trends. My greatest inspiration happens when I step away from the chair and completely immerse myself in nature. Being totally present in each moment allows my imagination to be free,”Natalie says.

Natalie offers Natural Hair Care products that help restore and nourish hair with the assistance of moisture rich ingredients that are infused with botanicals and oils that are essential for sustaining and achieving complete natural hair. According to Natalie, her products make it easier to maneuver within the body of hair with minimal breakage. This is also possible because of the anti friction agent in her products that help to contain slippage. “Our products is that they can be used on all types of curly hair textures. Most people who desire to have a natural hair composition are quite frustrated with how to care it. Our team of natural hair care specialist helps to style, treat and manage anyone,” she says.

When asked what she loves most about being an entrepreneur, without hesitation Natalie says its the flexibility. “Success is different for everyone; everyone defines it in their own way and that’s I believe it is important to stay in tune with myself. My career gives me the ability to be able to spend more time with my son. It also gives me an outlet to express my creativity or come up with new ideas to see how they can make my business better and also touch lives, in my own way, within my community,” she says. “It’s easy to get side tracked and just go throughout our lives without being grateful for what is right now.”

NATURAL HAIR TREATMENT

For all natural hair types www.sisterlyluvnatural.com 864-361-3964

Moving forward Natalie plans to expand her Sisterly Luv product line into larger cities and eventually end up in stores and allow others to enjoy them and also benefit from the wonderful results they produce. Contact Natalie Sullivan to learn more about her products and services that are tailor made for the individual who desires a healthy and natural hair experience. h

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G

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Apollo Wonex reenville, South Carolina native, Stormi Harmon is the kind of person that is likely to leave a lifelong impression with almost everyone she meets.

She is a wife, mother, home school educator, Doula, Health Educator, Herbalist, Vaginal Steam Facilitator, and healer. She is also the founder and owner of Live 2 Serve, a beautiful umbrella of services and products for everyone.

As a Doula, she provides physical, emotional, and educational support to mothers during pregnancy and postpartum. In other words, she works with mothers to help them achieve their best birth.

She also offers Prenatal Nutrition, Birth Planning, Breast Feeding education, Postpartum Self Care Sessions, Postpartum Herbal Baths, custom blended Postpartum Vaginal Steams, Postpartum Healing Tinctures for afterbirth pains, Nourishing Meals, Amber Teething Jewelry, Organic Baby Powder, Cloth Diapering Sessions, Baby Wearing Sessions, and more.

Doula’s are not just for natural home births. Harmon provides care no matter where they choose to have their baby, whether it be in a hospital, birthing center, home, hallway, car, elevator; wherever they are, there she will be also. While many families are sometimes hesitant in investing in the services that a Doula offers, due to money and other reasons, there is so much scientific proof that says otherwise. “I rest in knowing that what I do is very valuable and historical. Black women were the original Doulas, or Granny Midwives. This is ingrained in us to do this work for our mothers. I just continue to share the benefits and let my work speak for itself,” she says.

When it comes to physical support, her focus is to assist her clients through various challenges during the child birthing experience.

These include breathing techniques, counter pressure, and many other comfort measures that allow Harmon to “hold space” for the birthing mother and growing family. “Emotionally, I help families feel supported by easing any concerns about their birthing experience and allowing the mother to surrender and listen to her body on this journey,” she says. “In regards to education, I connect families with evidence-based resources so they can ask great questions and always make informed decisions. Doing this allows me to serve as a bridge between families and health care providers, by encouraging them to be advocates for their care.”

As a Health Educator, Harmon offers instruction through classes and teaching sessions, food demonstrations, Smoothie Pop-up Shops and more. Additionally, she has created a Smoothie eBook, loaded with over 275 plant-based recipes and educational tools.

With her Holistic Nutrition services, Harmon’s focus goes beyond food and seeks ways to serve the whole person. “I help you make realistic, sustainable changes in many aspects of your life. I help you get to the true heart of the matter that may have created the habits you are trying to break. Once that is done, if it even needs to be, we focus on what you consume and provide Nutrition and Herbal consultations for the entire family. This includes Herbal consultations, Pantry swaps- removing foods that are harmful and replacing them with better options, and sustainable changes. I also offer Herbal blends for optimal health which includes Butters for Eczema, joint pain, sleep disorders, muscle pains, and many other imbalances. My custom Herbal Vaginal Steams are designed for women with fibroids, conception issues, chronic infection, and more.

My custom herbal blends include Elderberry Syrup Kits, Parasite Cleanses, and Vaccine Detoxes.”

Harmon finds inspiration in her ability to take charge of her health without depending on someone else. She says, “we can do it if someone who truly cares about us will only show the way. I can’t help everyone but I can help anyone who trusts and allows me to help them heal themselves. As black women, the odds are truly against us when it comes to bringing forth life in this country. Black women are four times more likely to die in childbirth or from postpartum. These numbers do not change merely due to economic or social statuses. It does not matter. Hiring a Doula causes these numbers to drop dramatically because you have someone in your corner fighting for you the whole time.” “There are times where birth work can be very exhausting. Birthing a child is very unpredictable.

A mother can be in labor for days and often times out of the loop with her family’s needs. Seeing a happy, healthy mama and baby makes it all worth it. It is my job to be there for them. They can count on that.”

Her support system includes her husband and her oldest daughter. “My husband encouraged me to take better care of myself. From there it grew beyond anything I could have ever imagined. My daughter turned my life upside down, but in a good way of course. I never wanted any other mother to experience what I went through. After researching, I knew becoming a Doula would be a perfect fit. If she was never given to me, I never would have done any birth work and would have never known how important and valuable the services I provide are,” she says.

To learn more about Live 2 Serve and Stormi Harmon, please contact her to schedule a free, no obligation consultation. h

Stormi Harmon - Live 2 Serve 864-901-5172 live2serve@gmail.com - www.live2serve.com

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Shuntae Goodjoine

A Modern Renaissance Man

By Toya Moore Photos by Apollo Wonex

iscipline. Dedication. Determination. From an early age Shuntae Goodjoine knew that these three words were the foundation for his success. With those three words in mind, he established Shepherds Watch as an official 501(c) 3 in 2014. The mission statement for Shepherds Watch is: Committed to enriching the lives of future leaders through the human and animal bond. Shun (as he is called by friends and family) began the organization as a way to start a movement in the lives of the boys and girls growing up in his community.

That movement is deeply rooted in the principles of Pet Education, responsible pet ownership and his true passion, Veterinary Medicine.

Shun began to learn everything he could about animals, especially dogs at a young age. He became known for his ability to take care of and train dogs. That was his informal education. The formal education began when he became a kennel assistant, and eventually a Veterinary Assistant.

During those years is when he began to call himself a Pet Enthusiast.

“It kept me out of a lot trouble. It gave me responsibility and discipline, because all I wanted to do was get home and take care of my dog and learn more about dogs. I guess you could also say there was a calmness in learning about animals. I think I found some type of healing when I was learning about and caring for those animals,” he says. After graduating from Southside High School, Shun went off to college and played basketball collegiately, and had aspirations of becoming a Veterinarian. He quickly lost interest in his studies. “I just didn’t fit in there. Although I’m not sure I knew it at the time, I think I was disenfranchised with the lack of culture. There was really nobody there that I could relate to.”

So, he left school, returned to the Upstate and began working for a veterinarian in the area. His informal education continued, but once again he did not feel as if that was where he was supposed to be and again walked away from veterinary medicine. He dabbled in the entertainment industry for a little bit, traveling and writing music. Shun then went into telecommunications work for a few years. He also worked part time for Greenville County with adults that have disabilities and special needs.

Currently Shun works as a shift leader in the automotive industry and coaches AAU and high school basketball. He is even an author, having selfpublished his own book called “Dawg Game”. No matter his profession, he has always owned and trained multiple dogs, and he has always taken the time to educate family, friends, and community about responsible pet ownership. Does he regret not finishing school to become a veterinarian?

“I am good with where I am right now,” he says. “But I do sometimes think back and wonder what if I had finished. I kind of feel like my lack of commitment to pursuing my goal to be a veterinarian drives me every day to help these kids pursue their goals. I do that with my program for the kids”.

The program that Shun has created with Shepherds Watch provides an outlet for any child. Any child between the ages of 6 and 16 can participate in the training that Shun provides with his dogs. He uses dogs to teach life lessons, responsibility, leadership and so much more. But why dogs?

“Because I feel a connection to dogs more so than any other animals. The intelligence, work ethic, and instinctual ability of the German Shepherd to guide and oversee is what inspired the name of my organization. The strength, loyalty, intelligence, and tenacity of the pit bull has inspired me to keep moving towards my goals. Just taking care of my personal dogs makes me want to do the best I can for them. That in turn makes me want

to do what’s best for me. But it’s not about me anymore, it’s about the kids.

So, I guess the dogs motivate me to do what’s best for the kids.”

When the conversation shifted to talking about goals, Shun is very specific.

“I want to spark minds. I want to close the disproportionate gap between minorities and veterinary medicine. I want to advocate for those doing the right thing and do the best for the community.” His passion for animals and his commitment to youth are obvious with each word he speaks. “I want to partner with Tuskegee University and take kids there. I want to put kids through veterinary school. I want to relate people’s interaction with animals to their interactions in life. I just want to be a source of education and exposure for those that may not have it on their own or in their family.”

Shun is currently working with two community centers and an after-school program in Greenville so he can expand Shepherds Watch. His message of pet education, responsible pet ownership, and veterinary medicine needs to be heard. His method of teaching and developing youth is not traditional, but it works. His desire to serve youth is commendable and his love of animals is admirable. He is humble about the attention and accolades. When acknowledging all he has done, and the greatness that he is planning on doing, h he told me “I just want to find some good, that’s all.”

Shuntae Goodjoine - The Shepherds Watch www.shepherdswatch501c3.org - 864-614-1843 19

Available On All Digital Platforms Spotify & Apple Music - Follow me on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @Emanthaprofezzor

Eman Tha Profezzor Eman Tha Profezzor, experimental Gospel artist emerging from Johnston County (JoCo), North Carolina. Unable to be contained in a traditional genre, the “experimental” Gospel genre was crafted in the reason that there was no other suitable category.

This multi talented musical man of God; starting from age 2, when he discovered his curious attraction to pitch and rhythm, tapping and racking on pots and pans, which persuaded his parents to get him his first drum kit at age three, resulting in his growing skill as a drummer from 5 years of age.

Having joined the choir at his home church, playing the drums, he revealed a passion for other instruments as well. While in High School he started realizing that all his talent had gotten to a point that he could start producing music on his own using the Music production software FruityLoops 3, which he had received from a friend. After producing and writing several pieces of music he decided to enter the 2002 talent show at West Johnston High School, taking the show with 3 of his friends, who formed their group in a day. After advancing his gift, he went on to enter The Next Gospel Star Talent Search in 2004 with a close friend, forming The Disciplez; placing in the top 10 finalist, they concluded the competition in achieving runner-up.

After his group The Disciplez went after different endeavors in their lives in 2006, Eman put out his first album “I Mean Business: Crunk Worship”. He played an array of gigs in Churches and venues in the greater North Carolina vicinity - Making his first appearance, performing his song “Get Up” on a Local Raleigh television station RN10 on the show Beyond Gifted with Koyah Rivers and his first radio appearance on 750AM interviewed by Bobby Parker, of the Bobby Parker Show, where they played 2 of his singles “Get up” and “In God we Trust” - leading to him producing the music for The Bobby Parker Shows introduction in 2006; all gaining him more exposure and shows.

When he began realizing he was becoming more of a Gospel artist; desiring to perfect his craft, having the mind to be professional; he enrolled in Living Arts College, formerly The School of Communication Arts; Taking classes in Audio design and Audio Engineering: While attending college, Eman began improving the development of his skills, he also began developing his 2nd album, having acquired the new knowledge and skill through his schooling - as E3 Productions (Entertainment, with the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost - his music production company) was also underway, when he met a few friends in college along with his cousin having likeminds for ministry, who believe the good news of Jesus Christ. He and all of his friends, who also being artists, started producing and writing music, which took them to bigger platforms for shows, travelling to many churches and venues.

Before finishing his Sophomore album “Salvation Motivation: The Story” Eman was blessed with the opportunity to intern with Loreal Shampoo, doing a background track for a 2007 television ad. While preparing for fall graduation he entered his graphic design for E3 Productions, winning the gallery exhibit for logos. Graduating September 2007, he received the Digital Audio Merit Award - leaving with an outstanding GPA of 4.0. In 2008 Eman released his sophomore album “Salvation Motivation: The Story”, bringing him to playing shows in multiple college universities and in many states, such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Atlanta Georgia, Missouri, Virginia, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, Cozumel Mexico, New Jersey and Washington DC. With Salvation Motivation, the song “Blow Out” received so much buzz that it was brought on the Coco Brothers Show 103.9 The light, NC on Play it or Fade it for 3 nights consecutively, and while touring in South Carolina he was picked up to do an interview, with the Bad Boy Radio Brian Seabrook WJNI 106.3 FM, SC - while touring, his song “Changed Man” ended up taking a spot at #3 on Drive at 5, later earning a place at #2, then having its finale at #1 for the day over Kirk Franklin. Meanwhile also achieving the artist spotlight at WKNC 88.1fm at NC State University.

Within three years after the release of Salvation Motivation, Tha Profezzor was blessed to gain fellowship and share stages with the likes of Papa San, Rawsrvnt, Jeff Majors, Warren Barfield, Marcus D. Wiley of the Yolanda Adams Morning Show, Grammy nominated Cynthia Jones, Grammy nominated Canton Jones, Grammy nominated Mali Music, Grammy/Dove/ Stellar/Soul Train award winning Israel Houghton.

After his previous accomplishments, being discovered by a long time friend and mentor for his dynamic gift in poetic writing; he was given a grand opportunity to partake in a revolutionary idea for invoking youth to inspiration and encouragement in their gifts for the Kingdom of God; the stage was set for his heart for the Gospel to be shed through the art of Spoken Word, at the Church of God of Prophecy International Assembly in Louisville Kentucky held in the Kentucky International Convention Center. The artistic piece he presented is known as “My Powerful People”, viewed by over 500k streaming and in person - Empowering listeners to unchain their God given gifts and seek their purpose in the calling of the Lord.

Founded at the top of 2015, Introducing a new flavor to the mix in the ministry of Eman Tha Profezzor, with plans for outreach and youth camps to accompany the silky sound of Eman, as he brings to the world his heart for the Gospel and the winning of souls for the Heavenly Kingdom of God. The world has yet to see what Tha Profezzor shall presents to you by the grace of God in the adventures of the NERD UP Music Group LLC. h

huami MAGAZINE

®

Cutest Baby

Kaydence Jeffries The daughter of Da’Quan and Sharhonda Jeffries Photo provided by Da’Quan Jeffries

To submit photographs to be placed in the Huami Magazine Cutest Baby feature, please send a detailed email to huami.cutestbaby@gmail.com

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PRETTY CREDIT Consultants, LLC

By Dr. Marrissa Dick - Photos by Apollo Wonex

Have you had one or more financial misfortunes over the past several years? Have you made late payments because you were robbing Peter to pay Paul?

Were you irresponsible with a credit card in your youth? Or maybe you lost your employment and were unable to pay your bill(s). If you can answer yes to any of these questions understand that you’re certainly not alone. Plenty of people are concerned about their credit score and rightfully so because today’s economy operates on credit. If you want to rent an apartment, purchase a house or car, or even need a student loan to pay for college your credit worthiness is key to receiving that loan and even the amount of interest you will need to repay. The higher your credit score, the less likely lenders are apt to see you as a risk or liability. On the other hand, if you have challenges you may receive that loan with a higher interest rate or if your score is low, you may be denied credit because you are being viewed as unreliable and irresponsible. Sometimes having no credit at all can even put you at a disadvantage because you’re unable to get credit if you don’t have a credit history.

Having challenges with your credit doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re irresponsible; instead, it could have everything to do with “life” happening to you.

Meet Pretty Washington, a woman of relentless faith, and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pretty Credit Consultants, LLC. Pretty Credit is a life line for those who are in need of credit restoration. This company understands that having a low credit score doesn’t run parallel to who you are as a person nor do they correlate derogatory remarks on your credit report with truth. “I became interested in this industry because I had some challenges with my own credit,” says Pretty. “I had to find out the hard way that the credit bureaus were not on my side. I didn’t realize that when I was writing my dispute letters that the information I was providing them with was being used against me. Fortunately, I met a friend who worked in the industry that pointed me in the right direction so I could study the laws for myself, and that’s what I began to do. I started with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and really educated myself on what my rights as a consumer actually are.” Pretty shares that most people don’t take the time to educate themselves on the laws, so they are not aware of what credit reporting agencies can and cannot do. Educating their clients on these laws is only a small part in helping their clientele to restore their credit.

Pretty is staunch when it comes to knowing what’s on your credit report because people can become victims of credit fraud without knowing it. She advises all consumers to check their credit because people are often unaware that they have fallen prey to identity theft until they apply for a loan for a house or a car and are denied credit because of unpaid charge cards and other major purchases on their credit report that may be reporting inaccurately. Pretty is no exception to this experience.

“It’s important that you check your credit report because a lot of times people are victims of fraud and identity theft and don’t even know it. I’m no different because it happened to me. My identity was stolen. This person opened accounts in my name and she got away with a lot of stuff. It was so bad that a warrant was issued for my arrest for all that debt. I had bounty hunters looking for me. I remember it like it was yesterday. My husband and I was just coming home from church when the bounty hunters knocked on our door. They were going to arrest me at church but while they were following us,

22

they received a photograph of what the woman actually looked like and they realized it wasn’t me. So, when we got home from church they knocked on the door and explained everything. I had no clue that I was being followed or that my home was being staked out for three days. So, I went to the police station right here in Greenville, SC to clear my name. I had to complete a statement and go through a long process even though I was innocent. While I was down there, I had police officers telling me that they understood how I was feeling because they had their identities stolen too. It’s important for people to protect their personal information because there are thieves just waiting to steel your identity.

So of course, I didn’t like that experience, but it gave me a realistic view of how things really are. It forced me to have compassion, sympathy, and empathy for consumers. Pretty Credit doesn’t judge people by their credit score like a lot of other companies do. Instead of judging the consumer, we help them get back on track. Here at Pretty Credit, we understand that every situation is unique, and we treat it as such. I believe I had that real-life experience, so I can know what it feels like to fall victim to fraud. I mean real life bounty hunters came to my door with handcuffs and everything ready to pull me out of my home, away from my family, and take me to jail for something I didn’t do. If it wasn’t for that picture being sent at that very moment, I realize that things would have turned out much differently. Can’t nobody tell me that God isn’t real, and can’t nobody tell me that He’s not an on time God because He is.” Talk about having a testimony that can stand alongside of Daniel in the Lion’s Den and The Three Hebrew Boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being tossed inside of the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. They survived unharmed and vindicated and so did Pretty.

“It’s only my praise and faith in God that brought me through that,” she shares.

Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” It is through Pretty’s experience that Pretty Credit understands that your credit history isn’t always what it looks like on paper; therefore, each clients situation is treated on an individualized basis. Additionally, they offer tailored programs that can aid their clients in achieving the desires of their heart while simultaneously working on credit restoration.

When talking about getting an understanding of how significant and essential good credit is even in the basic parts of your life Yusheeka Gray - Partner, CoCEO of Pretty Credit, and Credit Repair Business Trainer - understood this basic concept early on in her life. She shares, “I started my credit repair journey back in 2006. I was in my early 20’s, a young single mother, living in public housing, and depending on welfare. Even though I lived in public housing I still wanted to live in a single-family home that was income base driven but even that required me to have good credit. I also needed a car, so I could get back and forth to work. Everything I needed to improve my life at the time required me to have good credit. Because I was ignorant to what my rights were as a consumer I paid someone over $400 to work on my credit. I didn’t know that credit repair companies were governed by laws and that they weren’t allowed to take lump sums of money up front and so I ended up being scammed. They didn’t fix anything. That’s what motivated me to learn as much as I could about the laws. I also found myself a mentor, Mike Citron, who taught the Florida Bar Association all about credit. I figured if this person is teaching attorneys about credit then he’s somebody I needed to know. So, I invested in myself by attending his credit bootcamps. That’s where I learned the laws and how to ethically work on your credit. I learned so much that I was able to open my own business in 2008.

Though I was helping individual consumers, I realized that I had more business helping other credit business owners with their credit repair business so in 2011, I switched gears and started focusing more on coaching other credit repair business owners. During that time, I had met a friend through the industry and I started helping her grow her business. We took it from $100 thousand annually to over a million dollars in less than a year. Both my husband and I were working for her and the company was doing so well that she asked me to open an office in Columbia, South Carolina which I did. We moved our family from Ohio to South Carolina but within 9 months, she informed us that she was selling the business, and unfortunately the new owners didn’t want to keep the Columbia office. Can you imagine how we felt? We uprooted our five boys, purchased a home with a $2,300 mortgage, and we had two car notes. We went from $120,000 a year income to zero income within a months’ time. All of that, and turns out the company was never sold. That was one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had. But like Pretty, I have strong faith, so I prayed and then I did what I do best; I started my own business again. I started a virtual video training program that taught business owners how to properly dispute and be compliant, ethical, and moral while achieving good results for their clients. That’s so important and it’s also one of the things I really respect about Pretty Credit because we implement all of the legal and ethical statutes for consumers and we have the best credit restoration team on the planet. Our fees are affordable, and we don’t take advantage of clients.”

Continued on the next page

Richmond - Sept./Oct. 2018

Yusheeka Gray

Pretty Washington

Britnie Thompson 23 HuamiMagazine.com

Fortunately, Yusheeka and Pretty had met several years prior but it was Pretty who knew that they were somehow kindred spirits. Yusheeka recalls, “I was working with someone else the first time I met Pretty. I just shared some advice with her and she told me that we were going to be working together one day. So, I just listened to her thinking that’s not going to happen because I’m working with someone else. Now I totally understand when people say that God has a funny sense of humor because the next thing I know, that previous working relationship ended and here was Pretty again. She ended up taking my video training course. She told me that she prayed and asked God for direction and he literally sent her to my video. Honestly, I thought this lady was crazy for a little while because she found me at least three times and every time we met she would tell me that we’re going to be working together one day and I was like yeah ahuh okay.

But Pretty’s personality is just like her name and the more we spoke the more I connected with her and realized how beautiful a person she is and I became drawn to her like a magnet. So, the next thing I knew we were having dinner together and it was perfect; the chemistry was undeniable. Both our husbands me and her everything just clicked. So, it was during that dinner when we began talking about partnership and blending our talents. In September 2017 we decided we were going to just merge our companies together. It’s good because we all have our specialties. Mine is really business to business while Pretty’s is more consumer driven which makes us a one stop shop.”

Look at how God knitted this friendship in the spirit before it came to pass. Much like the friendship with Jonathan and David. 1 Samuel 18:1 reminds us that, “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” This reflection on the meaning of friendship bears with its ideas of strong emotional attachment and loyalty. Not surprisingly, the term “friend” naturally became another name for believers or brothers and sisters in the Lord which Pretty and Yusheeka are indeed. Though it appeared the working relationship wasn’t going to come to pass Yusheeka says that she is so thankful that Pretty remained faithful and trusted the process. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) It suffices to say that they are both working in their purpose.

Pictured with Elliott Washington is his wife Pretty, Britnie Thompson, and Yusheeka Gray

Pretty Credit Consultants, LLC 2007 Woodruff Road Greenville, SC 29607 1-800-580-9549 (toll free) 864.580.6399 (local) www.prettycredit.com

It takes a steady administrative hand to push that purpose locally and internationally. Meet Elliott C. Washington, Jr. the Chief Operations Officer of Pretty Credit. He’s the person who orchestrates the networking for their one stop shop. According to Elliott, “It’s my responsibility to expose what we do here. My wife, Pretty, works one-on-one with the consumers and Yusheeka implements her Business to Business piece. Joining forces naturally gave us a much broader company and allows us to offer greater services. Because we have Yusheeka we can now actually train other credit repair companies on how to operate a successful business from the time they turn their lights on until they turn them off. We also have a dispute resolution team that’s on a different level of success. The consumer and Professional Partners that we work with have seen significant growth because our dispute resolution team is professional and committed. We work with Professional Partners, so they don’t ever have to turn anyone away who wants to own a home or needs an automobile. I see what we do as departmental. You know it’s awesome when other professionals send their clients to us because they know we can work with that person or business to help them.

We help other business retain the clientele, thus helping them to bring in at least 50% – 70 % more annual income by partnering with us. We pride ourselves on bringing that added value to a business and we never charge them anything to partner with us while we do all the work. We help their clients get to the level that they need to be at so they can purchase those big-ticket items they desire. “ So why would someone use Pretty Credit Consultants instead of contacting one of those television commercial ads promising to “repair” your credit? Elliott explains, “We do a couple of things here at Pretty Credit that other companies just don’t do. First, we treat every single person who walks through our doors with respect because we believe that everybody deserves a second chance. If you’re trying to change your life for the better so you can have something, then we’re here to help you do that. Though we’re here to help both the blue- and white-collar worker we also provide structured programs to help the common man have the best life possible. That’s why we’re different.

We’re also different because we actually work on a consumer’s personal credit while simultaneously working with them and our developer to design a home for them from the ground up anywhere in the states of South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida and no score is too low for our program. Other companies don’t offer or provide the same non-traditional services and programs in same capacity that we do, with the same great quality and at the same low prices. That’s why Pretty Credit is different. We are genuinely here to be a blessing. We’re going to hold our client’s hand, walk them through the process, and make sure that they get that credit score, so they can sign on h the dotted line.”

Christiniafaith

By Terry L. Watson Photos by Apollo Wonex

McCoy

The multi-talented Christiniafaith McCoy has been performing since the age of ten. She began competing in talent shows all over Spartanburg and Greenville, South Carolina and performed vocal pieces by various musicians including Jennifer Hudsons’ ‘One Night Only’. She has competed in pageants such as the one for Miss South Carolina, and became Miss Greater Carolina Teen in 2011.

As it goes in show business, most talent doesn’t make it to the mainstream until it is discovered. This also happen in the case Christinia when local Greenville producer Randy Edmund saw her perform. Christinia says he liked what he saw and eventually introduced her to the Phillis Wheatley Repertory Theatre and worked under the direction of the late Dwight Woods. Christinia played almost every lead role in each of his productions at the Peace Center. She was Dorothy in “The Wiz” when she was only 12. She played in “Dream Girls” as Diana Ross and the Supremes at the age of 15. Woods molded her into an amazing performer.

Believe it or not, Christinia was a very shy and timid child.

Though still humble, she wouldn’t put herself out front for people to notice her and hear her big voice. As she continued her singing career as a young performer, Christinia was introduced to Apollo Wonex, a professional photographer who saw something in her; that something would dramatically enhance her model career.

Christinia became Miss Richland County Teen in 2012. She was chosen to be the leading role in the play called “Speak Easy”. She became “Lula Mae Jones” in the making of the play and it was shown at the Peace Center in Greenville.

Once her tenure as Miss Richland County Teen concluded, she took a few years off from competing and pursued her talent show journey while performing for the Phillis Wheatley Repertory Theatre. When she was 18, she graduated and became an alumnus of Phillis Wheatley. This feat allowed her to go back each year and help other young performers.

In 2015, Christinia was crowned as Miss Duncan. She competed for the chance to win Miss South Carolina. Though she didn’t win, that didn’t stop her performing journey but instead made her stronger and more determined to continue her career as a performer. Soon, she decided to leave the pageant world for a while and start her journey to doing something that she had been wanting to do since the age of sixteen years old. She finally started taking footsteps into the life of being a model.

Apollo Wonex became her dedicated photographer and manager and helped her become the woman she is today.

Christinia was first published in Level 63 magazine in 2017, and followed that with being featured on the cover of the second issue in the same year. Apollo assisted with getting her the opportunity to perform with ‘The Night Affair Band’ during the Fall For Greenville event. She recently competed in the Miss South Carolina pageant this past June as Miss Powdersville 2018, and she will hold that title until March 2019.

Christina says she always had this mindset of someday being more than just another girl who post selfies of herself on social media. “My life is on a new level and there is no turning back. I am only going further with what I am is passionate about and that is achieving and accomplishing more.

Follow Christiniafaith McCoy on Instragram h

@eternalmelaninn

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HuamiMagazine.com

Richmond - Sept./Oct. 2018

By Terry Watson Photos by Todd Youngblood

L Michelle, is a native Washingtonian but was raised in Southern Maryland. She currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has a sincere love for her community and educating and helping people.

L Michelle has a background in sales, marketing, television production and advertising. Her interest in radio and broadcasting is what drives her to explore the radio industry and has learned from the ‘best of the best’ and sat in on various talk shows as a co-host. “Being on different panels and workshops has allowed me to learn more about networking,” she says. She will bring her own unique and classy style to radio and to the Focused Radio Family starting in September.

L Michelle is a published Author of two collaboration books that cement her dream of her telling her stories of tragedy and triumph. The first one is titled, ‘From Employee to Entrepreneur - The Journey to Empowerment’. Within the pages, she describes a journey to empowerment. It is also designed to help those who want to get in the business and allow them to see the journey others have already experienced. The second book is ‘I Am A Survivor’ is seven women telling their story from tragedy to triumph of being a survivor of abuse. The book is designed to help people understand they are not alone and how they can be victorious, and not ashamed, or feel guilty about the situation that they are in. It shows them to live and be victorious.

As a motivational speaker, L Michelle promotes her books that shares her story of being a survivor and being an entrepreneur. She hopes she can help somebody and make a difference in their life.

“What I love most about what I do is getting information to people allow their voices to be heard. I am driven to letting them know that they their voices will no longer be silent. By me speaking and being transparent, I allow my voice to help someone understand and know their worth. I also teach them how to believe in themselves. If I can just touch one life, my work is done. I love meeting new people and learning what’s on their mind,” she says.

“It’s not about you being seen on the scene, it’s about making a difference on the scene.”

To be an effective leader, L Michelle states that a person must know their strengths and understand their power. “This also means being successful in your accomplishments and in your dreams and moving towards your purpose and your passion. A leader must take charge. Sometimes you have to grind and not everyone is going to like it. It’s not about you being seen on the scene, it’s about making a difference on the scene. It’s not about being a boss, but it’s about being determined to take charge and having a drive to go to the next level to reach your success and helping somebody else to be a successful by putting them on the right path,” she says. h

301-659-9766 @ Lmjewell68 @Lynnette M Jewell

@lmichelleshow @Sistar2012 Richmond - Sept./Oct. 2018

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Richmond, VA

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Richmond - Sept./Oct. 2018